Porsche offered the 356B Cabriolet as a high-end touring car with a thick-padded convertible top and expensive options such a leather seats and a Blaupunkt radio.
In September of 1959 Porsche revealed their fully updated 356 known as the 356B. This had a completely revised body that was more suitable for the American market.
The 356B used the new T5 bodystyle which raised the front and rear bumpers nearly four inches. Furthermore the headlights were also repositioned higher to meet American regulations.
Inside Porsche fitted a new deep dish steering wheel and deeper front seats.
New to the model was the Type 616/7 Super 90 engine which was an indirect replacement for the Carrera de Luxe models. The engine was fully revised with a new intake manifold, a larger Solex 40 PII-4 carburetor and the Carrera air filters. Other detail changes included 9.0:1 pistons, stronger valve springs, a different crankshaft with 55mm main bearings.
In August of 1961 Porsche revealed the updated T6 body with larger windows for the Coupe and twin engine grills on the rear deck. These had a much revised front trunk with a different gas tank that was accessed under a filler lid on the fender instead of the middle of the trunk.
In 1963, the 356C marked the third and final update to the 356 saga.
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1959 – 1963 |
| built at | Stuttgart, Germany |
| price $ | $ 4103 |
| engine | Flat-4 |
| position | Rear, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | Pushrod OHV, Two Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | 2 Zenith 32 NDIX Carburettors |
| displacement | 1582 cc / 96.54 in³ |
| bore | 82.5 mm / 3.2 in |
| stroke | 74 mm / 2.9 in |
| compression | 8.5:1 |
| power | 64.1 kw / 86 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 54.36 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 95.56 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 120.7 nm / 89 ft lbs @ 4300 rpm |
| redline | 6000 |
| body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| wheel type | Steel Discs |
| front tires | 165 SR-15 Sport |
| rear tires | 165 SR-15 Sport |
| front brakes | Al-Fin Aluminum Drums |
| f brake size | 40 x 280 mm / 1.6 x 11.0 in |
| rear brakes | Al-Fin Aluminum Drums |
| r brake size | 40 x 280 mm / 1.6 x 11.0 in |
| front wheels | F 38.1 x 11.4 cm / 15 x 4.5 in |
| rear wheels | R 38.1 x 11.4 cm / 15 x 4.5 in |
| f suspension | Swing Arms w/Torsion Bars, Adj Anti-Roll Bar, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Half Axles w/Radius Arms, Torsion Bars, Anti-Roll Bar, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 900 kg / 1980 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2100 mm / 82.7 in |
| front track | 1306 mm / 51.4 in |
| rear track | 1272 mm / 50.1 in |
| length | 4010 mm / 157.9 in |
| width | 1670 mm / 65.7 in |
| height | 1330 mm / 52.4 in |
| transmission | 741/0A 4-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 3.091:1, 1.765:1, 1.130:1, 0.815:1 |
| final drive | 4.428:1 |
| top speed | ~156.07 kph / 97 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~15 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~19.4 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 52 litres or 13.73 gal. |
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